SunRail Saturday service to start in November

Hurricane Matthew delayed start of trial SunRail Saturday service

ORLANDO, Fla. – SunRail planned to roll out a four-month test of Saturday service, but then Hurricane Matthew hit, canceling the debut.

After Matthew delayed the start of Saturday SunRail service on Oct. 8, the next available start will be on Nov. 5, Florida Department of Transportation officials said.

Service on select Saturdays is based on the need for transportation to major event venues and on the availability of staff, said Jessica Ottaviano, FDOT public information specialist.

SunRail officials said it was a community effort to get the idea off the ground, and that funding has been the only thing standing in the way of weekend service.

SunRail will be looking into adding additional staff to make Saturday service possible.

A public-private partnership launched the four-month pilot project, which will cost nearly $250,000.

Weekend service has long been a goal for many riders since the commuter rail first launched in 2014. SunRail extended its hours with night service later that year, but dropped it after ridership numbers declined.